Right-to-Work-for-LESS Fight Intensifies

Religious and small business leaders joined union members today in praising yesterday’s veto by Gov. John Lynch of HB 474, the so-called “Right-to-Work” bill.

“There is no evidence that this legislation will offer any benefits to New Hampshire’s economy or workers,” Lynch said in his veto message.

“In the last seven years of recruiting businesses to move to New Hampshire, not one business leader has ever even asked me if New Hampshire had a right-to-work law, let alone suggested it was a factor in the company’s location decision,” he added. “No New Hampshire business leaders have ever told me that the lack of a so-called right-to-work law prevented them from expanding or hiring new workers here in New Hampshire. And no New Hampshire workers have ever told me they couldn’t get a job because New Hampshire doesn’t have a so-called right-to-work law.”

Mark MacKenzie, president of the NH AFL-CIO thanked the governor and said “there is mounting evidence that Right-to-Work undermines the economy and interferes with collective bargaining.”

Since the proposed legislation, which would bar unions and employers from agreeing to contracts that provide for non-members to pay agency fees to the unions, has nothing to do with the rights of workers to be employed, the term “right to work” should be seen as propaganda. The propaganda emanates from the National Right to Work Committee, based in Virginia, a fact that did not escape Gov. Lynch.

“The debate over the so-called right-to-work bill in New Hampshire appears to be largely driven by national outside interest groups, and is not a result of problems facing New Hampshire businesses or workers,” he said in his veto message.

Protect New Hampshire Families has scheduled a Lobby Day for May 18. Speaker of the House, William O’Brien, says he will attempt to over-ride the veto on May 25.